NAAGA Launches Virtual Chapters

Philip Smmith | National African American Gun Association

When a lot of  our members join NAAGA, a great majority–70% to 80%–want to support the organization but due to their work schedule or isolated physical location they can’t get attached to a physical chapter. That results in a lot of members just floating around being isolated. We need to connect with those members and provide a “bridge”.  Establishing virtual chapters addresses that issue to a degree and begins connecting members in their region virtually and builds a deeper Brotherhood and Sisterhood via online.

We will have five regions:

  • Southwest – Black Trigger Gun  Club
  • Midwest –   Stars Gun Club
  • Southeast – Da Sharp Shooters Gun Club
  • Northeast –  Urban Warriors Gun Club
  • West –         Snipers Gun Club

Refer to the NAAGA Chapters Map to see what region you will join.

The Virtual Chapter meeting format will consist of:

  1. Virtual Zoom meetings will meet once a month, but will be subject to change (quarterly, bi-annually, yearly)
  2. All members will be encouraged to show their face during Zoom meetings.
  3. Special NAAGA patch for virtual regions
  4. Raffles
  5. Guest speakers
  6. Specific focus for each meeting (EX: best home defense gun, conceal carry options, etc.)
  7. The NAAGA member must live in the region of their online chapter and not be a active member of a Physical Chapter within NAAGA

We’re looking for 5 to 10 NAAGA volunteers to assist run the virtual meetings (volunteers don’t have to be from that area but it would be helpful). If interested, please send an email with your full name, address, phone number and what region you want to join to Membership.Support@naaga.co

Philip Smith
National President

68 Comments

  • Jason Birch
    Posted June 28, 2021 4:25 pm

    Hello, Thank you for addressing this issue. I fit into this group of members. I am about 50 miles north of the nearest chapter in Kingston Ny.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:37 pm

      Awesome, Jason! Please send an email stating all of your contact information and where you reside to Membership.Support@naaga.co

      • Cedrick Haggard
        Posted July 6, 2021 7:39 pm

        Please send the link to the virtual meeting please. Thanks

        • Kia Glenn
          Posted July 8, 2021 6:45 pm

          Cedrick, the link will be sent to you if you emailed us expressing interest in joining a Virtual Chapter.

      • Jason Burch
        Posted July 10, 2021 9:27 pm

        I have forwarded my contact information regarding the virtual chapter.
        Best ,
        Jason Birch

        • Kia Glenn
          Posted July 27, 2021 3:24 am

          Thanks, Jason.

    • Cedrick Haggard
      Posted July 6, 2021 7:37 pm

      Please send the link to the virtual meeting please. Thanks

      • Kia Glenn
        Posted July 8, 2021 5:51 pm

        If you sent an email requesting information to join a virtual chapter, the link will be sent to you.

  • michael knight
    Posted June 28, 2021 4:25 pm

    Hello, what states will specifically be covered by the individual regions? I live in Virginia.

    Thanks,

    Michael Knight

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:38 pm

      Please send an email stating all of your contact information and where you reside to Membership.Support@naaga.co

      • Kia Glenn
        Posted June 28, 2021 10:55 pm

        Due to the large number of inquiries, we are updating this post to include a map of the regions and instructions for submitting an interest email to our membership support department. Please refresh your screen and check back the evening of 6/28/2021 for updates.

  • Robert DeBerry
    Posted June 28, 2021 4:27 pm

    Hello,
    Yes I live in the mid west(Columbus,Ohio)
    …But I’ll be living in Charlotte,North Carolina soon and was wondering what chapter would that be?

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:41 pm

      For physical chapters, we have two chapters in Charlotte:
      Shoot2Win African American Gun Club. Reach out to Robin Austin at ShootToWinCharlotte@gmail.com.
      There is also the Queen City Gun Club in Charlotte. Contact James L. Smith Jamesmi6@aol.com.

      For virtual chapters, please send an email stating all of your contact information and where you reside to Membership.Support@naaga.co

  • Stephanie D. Jones
    Posted June 28, 2021 4:28 pm

    What states will each region cover?

  • Gordon McClelland
    Posted June 28, 2021 4:29 pm

    I would happy to join the Northeast chapter. Please send zoom link
    Thanks
    Gordon

  • Kenneth Robinson
    Posted June 28, 2021 4:33 pm

    How are the regions divided up? If by state can you provide a breakdown?
    Thanks

  • Dez Vick
    Posted June 28, 2021 4:36 pm

    Sounds great. I work at night and haven’t been able to link with a physical chapter in eastern NC for as long as I’ve been a member. Keep us posted sir.

    DL Vick

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:37 pm

      We most certainly will.

  • Porter
    Posted June 28, 2021 4:39 pm

    This is a great idea.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:26 pm

      We think so as well. We want everyone to be a part of the family no matter how hectic their schedule is, or where they live.

  • MaryCatherine Cross
    Posted June 28, 2021 5:06 pm

    I am very excited about the virtual chapters and looking for add to the first meeting!

    Thank you so much!

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:24 pm

      You’re welcome!

  • Mark Oglesby
    Posted June 28, 2021 5:10 pm

    If I live in St Louis Missouri which of these regions would I fall undet

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:27 pm

      We will present a map with each region as soon as possible.

  • Daniel
    Posted June 28, 2021 5:39 pm

    Yes! This is great! Thank you for doing this!

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:23 pm

      You are most certainly welcome, Daniel.

  • Aaron McMurry
    Posted June 28, 2021 5:43 pm

    If a member is part of a physical chapter but is not active, and would like to transfer to one of the virtual chapters, how would the do that?

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:23 pm

      Great question, Aaron. We could transfer their membership.

  • Aaron McMurry
    Posted June 28, 2021 5:51 pm

    Is there a map available for these virtual regions?

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:27 pm

      It’s coming soon, Aaron. Thanks.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 29, 2021 12:45 am

      Aaron, we have updated the post. Please refresh your screen to view the link for the regional map.

  • Jason Frank
    Posted June 28, 2021 6:05 pm

    I’m very interested in the virtual chapters. do we have a break down of the list of states in each virtual chapter. How can i help?

  • Wilbur
    Posted June 28, 2021 6:09 pm

    This is an exciting announcement!

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:21 pm

      Indeed it is!

  • Andria
    Posted June 28, 2021 6:27 pm

    Greetings!
    This is wonderful, especially for newbies like me! Thank you!!

    Will there be a map or something available to let people know what region they fall into? I’m in Chicago and would think I’d be in the Midwest region, but since I don’t see Midwest I’m curious where I’d fall.

    Thank you

    Be safe out there everyone!!
    Andria

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:29 pm

      Hello Andria. A map is coming soon.

  • Stafford Miller
    Posted June 28, 2021 6:31 pm

    My question after reading your information presented, and others will have the same question. What states belong to what regions? It would be helpful if it was listed during this email.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:17 pm

      Hello Stafford. That is an excellent question/suggestion. Judging from the responses after only a few hours of posting this article, we will definitely need to move forward and identify the states that exist in those regions. States that are closer to the middle of the USA may need some clarity. Florida, or Maine, for example, would not. We will try to have a preliminary map created and posted in the July 7th issue of the newsletter.

  • james e Lovejoy
    Posted June 28, 2021 6:37 pm

    Greetings Phillip,

    Currently residing in Montgomery, Al. please send contact info for Da Sharp Shooters Gun Club or nearest chapter.

    Thank you,

    Sincerely,

    James Lovejoy (Ret) U.S. Army

  • Marcus Christian
    Posted June 28, 2021 7:15 pm

    Great idea! Sign me up.

  • Angela
    Posted June 28, 2021 7:22 pm

    Good Morning!

    This may be stupid on my part, but I tried to reach out to my local chapter and did not get a response.
    How can I confirm what my local chapter is or if I need to join the virtual one?

    Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Have a wonderful day,

    ~Angela

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:09 pm

      Good Afternoon, Angela. No question is a stupid question…well, most of the time LOL. But yours is totally legitimate. Please email the membership department (membership.support@naaga.com) and they can confirm this for you. If you need additional help, you can tell us the name of the club you tried to join and we can have someone give them a heads up about your inquiry.

  • George R Jackson
    Posted June 28, 2021 7:30 pm

    NYDSGC
    I’m interested If it my schedule

  • Don Roberts
    Posted June 28, 2021 8:00 pm

    Where would Alaska fit in?

    I suspect Alaska has a pretty high per capita gun ownership but due to population density issues it’s hard to get a chapter going.

    Thank you.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:35 pm

      Don, I would say you would be in the Northeast region, but to be certain, email our membership department and let them know where you live Membership.Support@naaga.co

  • Daryl Parks
    Posted June 28, 2021 8:14 pm

    Looking for a chapter in SW Suburbs of Chicago?

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 9:33 pm

      For a physical chapter, contact Kourtney Redmond, president of the 761st Gun Club (redhillgunsmithing0351@gmail.com) in Chicago, or for the Virtual Chapters, email our membership department (Membership.Support@naaga.co). Let them know where you reside.

  • Noreen Winningham
    Posted June 28, 2021 9:43 pm

    This is a wonderful idea! I am isolated from other NAAGA members, but joined the only chapter near me. The travel requirements proved untenable. And because I was unknown to a group of people who all knew or knew of each other, lived near each other and, rightfully so IMO, were “territorial” about the group and who-did-what-when, so hard for an older female newcomer to make inroads.

    That being said, would you please provide a map of the virtual chapter regions. Without a MIDWEST designation, where do we midwesterners fit?

    Given the wonders of technology, is NAAGA open to virtual subchapters within the regions focused on women like myself: new to firearms, equipped, and who have (or want) a concealed carry license?

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 10:55 pm

      Due to the large number of inquiries, we are updating this post to include a map of the regions and instructions for submitting an interest email to our membership support department. Please refresh your screen and check back the evening of 6/28/2021 for updates.

  • Karana M. Pierre
    Posted June 28, 2021 10:23 pm

    Re: Virtual Gun Club Chapter

    Hello. I currently have relocated from Arizona to South Dakota for my work tour of duty. My nearest gun clubs are at least 7 hours away from me, which is difficult for me to get to at this time. I don’t know club that I would be classified in the region of South Dakota. I am assuming Mountain or West; however, I would like to be reconnected, with other NAAGA members, who may know of a small group to at least go to the range with in South Dakota.

    Thank you. Please keep me informed of the virtual meetings. I appreciate your help.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted June 28, 2021 10:55 pm

      Hello Karana. Due to the large number of inquiries, we are updating this post to include a map of the regions and instructions for submitting an interest email to our membership support department. Please refresh your screen and check back the evening of 6/28/2021 for updates.

  • Tawana Johnson
    Posted June 29, 2021 1:26 pm

    I would love to attend the virtual meeting, which region is my state in I stay in Detroit,Michigan. Thank you very much.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted July 8, 2021 5:25 pm

      Hello Tawana—we updated the post with the NAAGA Regional Map. Please follow up with your email and we look forward to you joining a chapter.

  • Cheryl Brown
    Posted July 6, 2021 5:10 pm

    So excited about this. New owner and member. Would love to meet others. Anyone else in the NorthEast chapter?

  • Ben Otunu
    Posted July 7, 2021 4:12 am

    This is awesome! A great way of including sisters and brothers in remote and under represented geographic areas. I recommend we add two more regions as Associate Affiliate Regions: African Americans Abroad (AAA) and PanAfrican Diaspora. They may not be able to shot in certain international geographic regions, but they can certainly participate by other means.

  • Aaron Kellam
    Posted July 7, 2021 8:40 pm

    Please send me the link for northeast region

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted July 8, 2021 5:52 pm

      If you sent an email to join a virtual chapter, a link will be sent to you.

  • Tony Slayden Jr
    Posted July 7, 2021 11:21 pm

    I’m located in the Savannah area, but unable to make contact with the local chapter. I have submitted emails, but no response returned.

    • Kia Glenn
      Posted July 8, 2021 6:26 pm

      Tony, I sent an email to membership support. Please let me know if you have any further challenges.

  • Valerie Harris
    Posted July 8, 2021 4:27 am

    Great idea! I’ll be joining the region closet to me.

  • Calvin Hall
    Posted July 9, 2021 6:09 pm

    I will be joining the “Southwest Virtual Chapter” whenever it start up.

  • Robert Thomas
    Posted July 13, 2021 5:45 pm

    This is great news.I’m about 70 miles from the nearest chapter.I think with this feature it will help increase membership

Comments are closed.